The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John E. Pearce (MCSN: 490044), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the supply section of the Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 3 to 14 March 1945. When a Marine rifle company had suffered severe casualties and many weapons had been lost, Private First Class Pearce unhesitatingly drove his vehicle and trailer loaded with rifles, machine guns and ammunition directly to the front lines over terrain infested with land mines and covered by intense hostile automatic weapons and sniper fire, thereby effecting resupply of critical items. Volunteering on another occasion to attempt evacuation of three wounded men after dark, he drove over hazardous and rough terrain in front of the lines and reaching the men, loaded them into his vehicle and succeeded in bringing them back to safety despite numerous hits on his vehicle. His outstanding courage, skill and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.